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Author Topic: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?  (Read 5167 times)

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Offline Henrius

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What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« on: September 18, 2014, 12:34:20 PM »
I am redoing my Pinto gauges in my 1973 dash. I had a bezel from a late model Pinto. I am thinking about having a larger bezel milled for 4 gauges instead of three. 


Now I have the engine temp gauge, oil pressure gauge, and voltmeter gauge.


Would a manifold vaccuum gauge be a logical fourth? I am putting a fuel pressure gauge in the engine compartment, and do not really need it in the dash.
1973 Pinto Runabout with upgraded 2.0 liter & 4 speed, and factory sunroof. My first car, now restored, and better than it was when it rolled off the assembly line!

Offline tbucketjack

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2014, 01:54:22 PM »
Gas gauge with the right ohms for your ford sending unit.

Offline Pinto5.0

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2014, 03:18:43 PM »
I like a good amps gauge myself. Easy to spot a current draw or short in the system. Turbo car I'd want boost, automatic trans car that gets heavy use I'd want trans temp & if I was in Arizona or a high temperature state I'd want oil temp.
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Offline Henrius

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2014, 08:40:30 PM »
I like a good amps gauge myself. Easy to spot a current draw or short in the system. Turbo car I'd want boost, automatic trans car that gets heavy use I'd want trans temp & if I was in Arizona or a high temperature state I'd want oil temp.

I agree on amp versus voltmeter! Thinking of switching that.

I will leave the OEM gas gauge where it is.

Don't have turbo or Automatic, so those would not be helpful

What I REALLY want is a tachometer, but cannot find one that is only 2 1/8 that would fit in the space on the dash!
1973 Pinto Runabout with upgraded 2.0 liter & 4 speed, and factory sunroof. My first car, now restored, and better than it was when it rolled off the assembly line!


Offline Henrius

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2014, 07:49:28 PM »
Oooh, thanks for this! I can possibly have my dream- a Tach in my dash!
1973 Pinto Runabout with upgraded 2.0 liter & 4 speed, and factory sunroof. My first car, now restored, and better than it was when it rolled off the assembly line!

Offline amxtra

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #6 on: September 24, 2014, 11:43:28 AM »
Turbo boost gauge !!

Offline 65ShelbyClone

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #7 on: September 24, 2014, 12:30:09 PM »
Yeah, there are plenty of 2"/2 & 1/16" tachometers out there.

Voltmeters and ammeters I don't really care about if the stock alternator light works. I'm going to install a voltmeter because I already have several and it's better stored/used in the car than on a shelf.

A vacuum gauge would be useful for trying to maximize fuel economy.
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Offline Henrius

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #8 on: September 27, 2014, 08:19:10 PM »
Yeah, there are plenty of 2"/2 & 1/16" tachometers out there.

Voltmeters and ammeters I don't really care about if the stock alternator light works. I'm going to install a voltmeter because I already have several and it's better stored/used in the car than on a shelf.

That is the trouble! My alternator light no longer works, and it is not because of a bad bulb!
1973 Pinto Runabout with upgraded 2.0 liter & 4 speed, and factory sunroof. My first car, now restored, and better than it was when it rolled off the assembly line!

Offline 76hotrodpinto

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #9 on: October 21, 2014, 11:58:36 PM »
I welded an o2 sensor bung into my header and use a fuel mix gauge. That and the tach are very handy for tuning.
1976 half hatch 2.3 turbo w/t5.

Offline 65ShelbyClone

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #10 on: October 22, 2014, 12:09:30 PM »
Is it a narrowband or wideband sensor? As the name suggests, narrowband sensors are only fairly accurate over a narrow AFR range centered around stoich (14.7:1 for gasoline). As a result, they have very limited use for tuning.
'72 Runabout - 2.3T, T5, MegaSquirt-II, 8", 5-lugs, big brakes.
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Offline 76hotrodpinto

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #11 on: October 22, 2014, 03:07:48 PM »
Is it a narrowband or wideband sensor? As the name suggests, narrowband sensors are only fairly accurate over a narrow AFR range centered around stoich (14.7:1 for gasoline). As a result, they have very limited use for tuning.

I've tried both on different cars, and your right it's not very accurate. But it gives you a good idea of how it's burning thru different rpm ranges and loads with either. It's more about getting the tune just right, and then noting the meter readings and knowing when your falling out of tune. Plus it's pretty cool!
1976 half hatch 2.3 turbo w/t5.

Offline 78_starsky

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #12 on: November 12, 2014, 12:43:57 AM »
i would go vacuum myself.  adding one in my truck build.  the tach is a nice option too if that is your wish

Offline Wittsend

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #13 on: November 12, 2014, 03:15:13 PM »
A BOOST gauge! And..., conveniently it came with the tach.  :) And, miracle of miracles a white gauge housing that didn't turn to dust!

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #14 on: November 13, 2014, 06:51:50 AM »
Nice find!..
Art
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Offline Wittsend

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #15 on: November 13, 2014, 11:16:23 AM »
"Nice find!.."

Were you referring to the tach/boost combination...,  or the fact that the white plastic housing wasn't dust? LOL

 The tach/boost is from the donor '88 T/C and the housing modified to fit.

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #16 on: November 13, 2014, 11:27:34 AM »
"Nice find!.."

Were you referring to the tach/boost combination...,  or the fact that the white plastic housing wasn't dust? LOL

 The tach/boost is from the donor '88 T/C and the housing modified to fit.
The plastic housing of course, lol..
Art
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Offline 78_starsky

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #17 on: November 23, 2014, 02:27:30 PM »
after reading this thread and thinking about it,  you got me thinking....  here is what i came up with.

cheers

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #18 on: November 23, 2014, 06:14:16 PM »
That looks great..
Art
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Offline dga57

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #19 on: November 23, 2014, 07:42:32 PM »
That looks great..

Yes it does!  Your handiwork, or Angie's?

Dwayne
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Offline 78_starsky

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #20 on: November 23, 2014, 10:16:21 PM »
thanks guys,

how do you mean dwayne?

the placement of a vac gauge is me.  (actually anything that includes nuts, bolts or electricity is me) paint and sewing is hers.   ideas are "group think"   lol

cheers

Offline dga57

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #21 on: November 24, 2014, 01:01:18 AM »
I meant from a creative standpoint.  I think the two of you make an excellent team! 

Dwayne
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Offline 78_starsky

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Re: What would be the 4th instrument gauge you would want?
« Reply #22 on: November 26, 2014, 07:56:01 AM »
thanks dwayne,  understand now.  we can't wait till spring to finish the body on the truck.

cheers